The Existence of the Imam
Question :

What is the solid evidence of existence of Mahdi?

Answer :

The evidence to prove his existence is from undoubted authentic narrations from the Prophet and the Imams (peace be upon them).

Evidence of the Imam
Question :

Is there any evidence of our Twelfth Imam (peace be upon him) in the Quran?

Answer :

It is not correct to expect to have evidences of beliefs from the Holy Quran explicitly and in clear text form. It is clear that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) is perfect and infallible. In addition to that, Allah explicitly declared that he “he does not speak of (his own) desire” (53:3). Because of this, the Muslims believe in all that is established to be the Prophet’s words. And we find traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) in the Muslims’ books about Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) and that he is from the offspring of Imam Husain (peace be upon him).

Our Obligation during His Absence
Question :

What is our obligation while the absence of Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his appearance)?

Answer :

The narrations of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) exhort the believers to pray for the hastening of the relief (faraj) of the Imam (peace be upon him). Aside from this, every devotee is expected to be a good example for others in his actions and behaviors to give a good impression about Islam and Shiaism. It was reported that the Imams said: “Call to us (our path) by your (good) deeds”.

Dying as a Martyr
Question :

Apart from dying in Jihad, how does someone die a martyr?

Answer :

There are many narrations from the Prophet and the Imams (peace be upon them) that whoever dies while he was waiting for our matter (i.e. for the government of the Imam) then he shall be considered like whoever died in battle for the Last Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance), and the said is the best way of ending this life.

Petition
Question :

What is the ruling of writing a petition to Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him)?

Answer :

It is permissible, as it is a form of seeking his intercession to fulfill one’s needs.

Meeting with the Imam
Question :

Somebody in our community claims that he can arrange meetings with Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). He delivered massages from him. What do you say about that?

Answer :

There is no doubt that this claim is false. This person should be ignored regardless of his position in the society.

Servant of the Imam
Question :

Does Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) have servants? How can I appoint myself to be his servant?

Answer :

We advise you to stay away from this kind of thoughts and focus on performing what is obligated and recommended in the Sharia. Once you do that, you will be under the care of the Twelfth Imam (peace be upon him), even if you don’t directly feel his blessings.

Meeting with Imam Mahdi
Question :

In our country, someone claims that he can arrange a meeting with Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). What do you think about that?

Answer :

It is reported in one of the letters of Imam Mahdi (may Almighty Allah hasten his reappearance) that was released by the last Safeer, that whoever claims that he sees him – the Imam – then consider the claimant as a liar. The righteous sect of Shiaism has been observing this since the first days of the major occultation.

Uttering the Name of the Imam
Question :

Is it forbidden or disliked to utter the name of Imam Mahdi?

Answer :

It is permissible.

Our Deeds and the Imam
Question :

Are our deeds and actions presented to the Imam of our Time (may Allah hasten his reappearance)?

Answer :

It has been reported in many narrations that the actions of believers are presented to the Imam of the time (may Allah hasten his reappearance) once a week.

Pleasing the Imam (peace be upon him)
Question :

How can I act to make the Imam of the Era (peace be upon him) pleased with me? Is there any deed that will allow me to see him?

Answer :

One will please the Imam (peace be upon him) by acting upon the orders of Almighty Allah.
With respect to seeing him (peace be upon him), we are not aware of any deed that will lead to it.

Help from the Imam
Question :

Does Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) help us and guide us?

Answer :

It has been reported in a narration that Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) said: "Benefitting from me in my absence is as benefitting from the Sun when its disappears behind the clouds.”

313 Campanions
Question :

Is it true that Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) has three hundred and thirteen companions?

Answer :

It is mentioned in some books. Allah know best.

Children of the Imam
Question :

Is it true that the children of Imam Mahdi’s (Peace be upon him) live in the Bermuda triangle?

Answer :

Some books mentioned that the Imam (peace be upon him) lives in an island by the name of the Green Island, but we cannot confirm the truthfulness of this issue. Almighty Allah knows best.

Age of the Imam
Question :

As Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) was hidden by God’s wish at the age of 5, what will be his age at when he reappears again?

Answer :

It was narrated from the Imams (peace be upon them) that when he reappears again he would look like forty years old. Nobody knows saves Almighty Allah his original age after the reappearance.

Signs of the Reappearance
Question :

I have been asking many religious scholars about the signs of the re-appearance of our Imam, since all the signs (mostly) have been observed in the present days. I would like to know from you.

Answer :

Nobody knows the precise time except Almighty Allah and there is no need to search that as long as we cannot find out.

The Signs of the Reappearance
Question :

Can you please tell me the signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him)?

Answer :

It appears from some of the narrations that there are three inevitable signs. They are: the rising of the sun from the west, and the cry from the sky that will declare the reappearance of the Imam, and the swallowing of the earth in the desert. Other signs are possible.
There is no doubt that Almighty Allah will establish undoubted clear evidence when he reappears, so it is better to delay paying attention to these issues to their designated times and not rushing to conclusions in this Godly matter, since He will clarify it at its appropriate time.

Deputy of the Imam
Question :

Is it true that Imam al-Mahdi curses anyone who declares himself as naaib-e-Imam except the four representatives appointed by the holy Imam himself?

Answer :

It is prohibited to falsely claim to be appointed directly by the Imam (peace be upon him) as his deputy.

Praying for the Imam
Question :

Is it recommended to pray for the Twelfth Imam (peace be upon him)?

Answer :

There is no doubt that it is recommended to pray for the emergence of the Twelfth Imam (peace be upon him), for his health and the like.

Long Life of the Imam
Question :

How can we understand the infinite long life of Imam Mahdi though we have a finite life? How can we perceive the 1200 years long life of the Imam, while he can live a further thousands of years?

Answer :

Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him) does not have an eternal life; rather, he is promised to live a long life. He will appear to people when the circumstances are right to establish justice on Earth. After that, the divine law of death will include him. Almighty Allah said:” Lo! You will die, and lo! They will die;”
This long life is not common amongst most people, although it is proven to be for some, like prophet Noah (peace be upon him), who lived as a prophet before the flood for 950 years. In some narrations, Khidhr is also alive and he is older than Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him).
There is no cause for doubt about the Imam’s existence because of his long life, since the authenticated texts prove his presence and his Imamate.